Prep co-wrestler of the year: Carissa Madson

Before she had set one foot on the mat this season, Carissa Madson had already established herself as a wrestling powerhouse. The Novato High wrestler was already a two-time North Coast Section champion and added a third title at 122 pounds before the season ended.

What sets this season apart from the previous two is that at the end of this season, Madson finally achieved her goal of winning a state title, pinning Selma's Amber Quintana.

"I set that goal early on in the season and my other coach, Steve Sanner, setup a plan for me," Madson said. "He was absolutely right."

Madson, whose only career loss came in her freshman season, compiled a 33-0 record — with 31 pins. Next season, she wants to do even better, but said she doesn't feel any pressure.

"I'm just going to go and wrestle like I've always wrestled," she said. "Put in the same amount of work if not more. ...I feel like if you put the work in, then the results will show."

Madson now owns a 95-1 career record and has applied her work ethic and flexibility — the product of years of gymnastics — to the track team.

She took home fourth place in the pole vault at the NCS meet last season and it's on that event that she wants to base her future. The allure of UCLA's campus and team, which features its own pole vaulting coach, is calling to Madson, but a scholarship will go a long way towards influencing her decision.

"I love wrestling, but I just want to pole vault in college, hopefully," she said.

Before then, she has one more season to add to her collection of hardware.

Winning a state title, she said, came with a side of instant stardom.

"When people at school congratulate me, it's like 'Oh, I really won state,'" Madson said. "I'll be at random places, watching a baseball game," and parents will add their congratulations.